Summer is finally here.  Before you head to the beach and other fun activities, take care of these home maintenance items to make sure you can enjoy the season to the fullest.  A little maintenance now will prevent larger issues latter. Clean exterior of home and decks with pressure washerHVAC inspection and tune-upReplace HVAC filters monthlyDrain and flush hot water heaterWindow & door screen replacement or repairGutter cleaningWeather strippingCaulkingSeptic tank and drain field inspec... Read more

Home automation is becoming more and more common within houses nowadays. Home automation and smart homes provide many key benefits. Smart and automated thermostats help to save on energy use and are easy to use. Check out some more of the proven benefits of automated thermostats for your Outer Banks vacation home or second home! Automated thermostats can be programmed based on your customized temperature settings. If you prefer a certain temperature as you sleep or when you wake up, the the... Read more

It's barely even June yet, on the Outer Banks we had our first tropical system this past weekend (and continuing to move slowly).  Hurricane season is from June 1 to Nov 30.  Typically, the season does not heat up until August.  It is always best to prepare in advance.  There is way too much to do once a storm is on its way. You may plan to ride out the event until the storm strengthens or appears to be coming closer.  Therefore, if you should decide to evacuate at the last moment having p... Read more

You work hard for your money. I know I do. Being raised by depression-era parents, I hate the idea of wasting anything. That’s why I am always on the lookout for ways to save money; especially ones that cause no hardship.According to Energy Star, almost half of all the energy we use in our homes goes toward heating and cooling and a significant amount goes towards water as well. One of the best places to start looking for savings is where we use the most energy.Energy Efficient AppliancesWhile... Read more

Looking to freshen up your home for an upcoming event, need to create curb appeal before selling, or just want to give your drab exterior a face lift? There are many ways to go about maintaining the outside look of your home, many of them need not cost you an arm and a leg. Here are 6 simple, cost-effective ways to give the outside of your home the makeover it needs.Pressure-wash Driveway and SidewalksNo matter where you live on the Outer Banks, from salt water sprays on the ocean side to midge... Read more

Each room in our home should resemble our personality and interests. We spend a great deal of time in our home and the kitchen seems to be the place where family and guests congregate.  With that said, our homes should be a place of peace and tranquility; the kitchen is no exception.For many people all over the world, there is no place that embodies peace and tranquility quite like the coast. The wind, waves, and sand all embody relaxation and peace of mind. Luckily, it is possible to bring tha... Read more

HomeAway, parent to Vacation Rentals by Owner (VRBO), just announced a dramatic change to the pricing structure for property listings. Beginning July 11, 2016, the company will stop selling and renewing the multi-level subscription plans for Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Classic. The company will only sell annual subscriptions at a flat rate of $349 when online booking is enabled or $499 when online booking is not enabled. The company will also allow the pay per booking option where there i... Read more

 It’s almost summer on the Outer Banks.  Tourist have begun arriving and bike week just finished.  It seems like spring was just skipped over.   While it has been unseasonable chilly; time is running out to get all the maintenance tasks complete to be able to enjoy the Outer Banks this summer.Clean Gutters & Down Spouts This can be a messy task but the power washer can make it easier.  Your gutters and down spouts should be cleaned out at least twice a year to make sure there is ... Read more

  Ever since Expedia’s acquisition of HomeAway, VRBO’s parent company, travelers will now be charged an additional service fee, anywhere from 4-10% based on the total amount of the rental, but not to exceed $499, sources say. This new charge is in addition to the listing fees that are already being paid by the homeowner and the credit card fees that are collected by the company for online payments. To add further insult, the fee is cloaked as a “payment protection fee,” to imp... Read more

As temperatures begin to warm up after a long winter season, it is time to take advantage of the mild spring weather. Over the winter months, it is often difficult to perform work around the house due to the cold temperatures. However, spring is the perfect time to get your home in top shape for the months of warm weather ahead. One way to ensure a comfortable spring and summer season is to take the steps necessary to create a cooler home. There are DIY home maintenance and improvement projects ... Read more